The Missing Muslim Outcry

The real insult to Islam is the violence, terror, and bloodshed that Islamist fanatics unleash in the name of their religion

As she lay dying in a Mogadishu hospital, Sister Leonella forgave her killers. She had lived in Africa for almost four decades and could speak fluent Somali, but her last words were murmured in Italian, her mother tongue. "Perdono, perdono," she whispered. I forgive, I forgive.

She was 65 and had devoted her life to the care of sick mothers and children. She was on her way to meet three other nuns for lunch on Sunday when two gunmen shot her several times in the back. "Her slaying was not a random attack," the Associated Press reported. It "raised concerns" that she was the latest victim of "growing Islamic radicalism in the country."

Raised concerns? Sister Leonella was gunned down less than two days after a prominent Somali cleric had called on Muslims to kill Pope Benedict XVI for his remarks about Islam in a scholarly lecture last week.

"We urge you, Muslims, wherever you are to hunt down the pope for his barbaric statements," Sheik Abubukar Hassan Malin had exhorted worshippers during evening prayers at a Mogadishu mosque. "Whoever offends our prophet Mohammed should be killed on the spot by the nearest Muslim." Sister Leonella was not the pope, but she was presumably close enough for purposes of the local jihadis.

If it weren't so sickening, it would be farcical: A line in the pope's speech suggests that Islam has a dark history of violence, and offended Muslims vent their displeasure by howling for his death, firebombing churches, and attacking innocent Christians. One of the points Benedict made in his speech at the University of Regensburg was that religious faith untethered by reason can lead to savagery. The mobs denouncing him could hardly have done a better job of proving him right.

In his lecture, Benedict quoted the late Byzantine emperor Manuel II, who had condemned Islam's militancy with these words: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

In the ensuing uproar, British Muslims demonstrated outside Westminster Cathedral with signs reading "Pope go to Hell" and "Islam will conquer Rome," while the head of the Society of Muslim Lawyers declared that the pope must be "subject to capital punishment." In Iraq, the radical Mujahideen's Army vowed to "smash the crosses in the house of the dog from Rome" and the Mujahideen Shura Council swore to "continue our jihad and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks." Arsonists in the West Bank set churches on fire, and a group calling itself "The Sword of Islam" opened fire on a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza and issued a warning: "If the pope does not appear on TV and apologize for his comments, we will blow up all of Gaza's churches."

In fact, the pope did apologize, more than once. He emphasized that the words he had quoted "do not in any way express my personal thought" and said he was "deeply sorry" that Muslims had taken offense. Whether the studied frenzy will now subside remains to be seen. But it is only a matter of time until the next one erupts.

It is a staggering double standard, and too many in the West seem willing to go along with it.

This time it was a 14th-century quote from a Byzantine ruler that set off -- or rather, was exploited by Islamist firebrands to ignite -- the international demonstrations, death threats, and violence. Earlier this year it was cartoons about Mohammed in a Danish newspaper. Last year it was a Newsweek report, later retracted, that a Koran had been desecrated by a US interrogator in Guantanamo. Before that it was Jerry Falwell's comment on "60 Minutes" that Mohammed was a "terrorist." Back in 1989 it was the publication of Salman Rushdie's satirical novel, The Satanic Verses.

In every case, the pretext for the Muslim rage was the claim that Islam had been insulted. Freedom of speech was irrelevant: While the rioters and those inciting them routinely insult Christianity, Judaism, and other religions, they demand that no one be allowed to denigrate Islam or its prophet. It is a staggering double standard, and too many in the West seem willing to go along with it. Witness the editorials in US newspapers this week scolding the pope for his speech. Recall the State Department's condemnation of the Danish cartoons last winter.

Of course nobody's faith should be gratuitously affronted. But the real insult to Islam is not a line from a papal speech or a cartoon about Mohammed. It is the violence, terror, and bloodshed that Islamist fanatics unleash in the name of their religion -- and the unwillingness of most of the world's Muslims to say or do anything to stop them.

Visitor Comments: 25

(25)
Anonymous,
December 13, 2010 7:02 PM

Americans need to wake up

In my 61 years of living, I have learned a few things.
1. Whether we want it or not, there will be change. So, the question is "Do we want change by design? or by default?" So far, it seems that change by default is winning. Americans....including non-violent Muslim Americans....need to wake up before it's too late. Hitler succeeded in killing millions because the "good" Germans, those who were not Nazi, refused to voice their outrage and thus contributed to the evil. When the Gainesville pastor threatened to burn copies of the Koran, US christians, US jews and US secular groups stood wall to wall in repudiation of his plan. Where is the non-violent Muslims' condemnation of the radical Muslims' evil actions???? Is it because they really believe the passage in the Koran that states non-believers must be killed...helped to their deaths?....So, WAKE UP America!! Responding to islamic terrorists by being "politically correct" instead of confronting them via multi media, and via our own politicians, only contributes to their bolder and more aggressive evil behaviors. Wake Up America before it's too late.
2. When it's not good for women, it's not good for their societies. And this is also true for their religions. Please check out the following books:
a. "A God Who Hates" by Dr. Wafa Sultan, a muslim woman
b. "The Trouble with Islam Today", by Irshad Manji, a muslim woman
c. "Inside the Kingdom" by Carmen Bin Ladin, a sister in law of Osama bin Ladin
d. The 3 Princess books by Jean Sasson
e. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson
f. "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
g. "Controlling People: how to recognize, understand, and deal with people who try to control you" by Patricia Evans. Controlling people can be individuals, religious and non-religious groups, and even nations. And, they all have one thing in common: they are put together backwards.

(24)
Wassim Muna,
January 2, 2007 10:05 PM

Quite Muslims insulting Islam?

Your last paragraph suggests that the Muslims who don't speak up to correct the radicals are thereby insulting Islam by failing to defend its "proper" interpretation against its errosive elements. I'm not convinced that this is a reasonable expectation to have of your average Muslim individual. The individual risks a lot by speaking out, and gains close to nothing. I suggest we leave individuals to make their own mistakes and suffer the consequences accordingly. A mistake in interpreting an ideology should be just as harmful as a mistake in interpreting the road conditions while driving. If you think Jews are evil, then why shouldn't you suffer the reverberations of such thoughts. I am Muslim, but I think for myself, and my thoughts are with the innocent victims, not with saving the hooligans, or unraveling world politics. Thanks, but no thanks. I have a life to live. Besides, who's listening to me. I am nobody, and I prefer it that way. Trust in GOD alone. Great work Aish.com

(23)
HowieSubnick,
October 16, 2006 9:14 AM

Why Do We Dismiss Terrorism.......

Since the 9-11 terrorist attack, how many flags of the United States do you see flying from private vehicles, from homes or businesses? Now, how many flags do you see flying of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, USC, UCLA, New York Yankees, etc., etc.. The citizens of the United States have no idea that WE ARE AT WAR! Why do we take this so lightly? The majority of the citizens appear to be in la-la land. If we do not change our ways toward terrorism within the United States the shock of another attack will be devastating. If you do not believe there will be another attack you are sadly mistaken. Look what is happening with our borders. The only thing that hasn't crossed out borders is a battleship....give it time and they will figure a way to do it. I don't know what it will take to "cure" the citizens way of thinking but I highly suggest all of us be prepared. I suggest that no matter how small something may seem to you that catches your attention YOU MUST CALL THE AUTHORITIES! This is what they get paid for! Let them make the decision as to what crime may have been or is going to be committed. Stay watchful and stay safe. There are terrorist cells all over the U.S.. This is not to scare anyone....it is to bring you back to reality.

(22)
DennisCast,
October 13, 2006 3:24 AM

where are the soothsayers?

where are the soothsayers crying disporportionality?In the context the wide spread violence is un-called for.Theese people are only looking for excuses for murder!

(21)
Anonymous,
October 5, 2006 5:57 PM

Islam - Double Standard

Jeff Jacoby is right when he says Islam has double standards. They say horrendous things about Jews and all other religions and their leaders, they kill innocent people and expect no retalliaton, yet they kill some more (i.e. that poor nun) if someone says something about their religion. They want world domination, yet we try to reason with them by being politically correct. Something is wrong here.

(20)
C.R.Johnson,
September 30, 2006 7:08 PM

The USA could use some Jewish leader leadership.

Most non-Muslim Americans feel that moderate Muslims do not support the radical elements. Their passive attitude gives silent consent to the barbarians that terrorize civilized societies. I am not Jewish or even religous. I have to admire your attitude toward the Muslims. At a recent Bahtmitzva, I saw a collection being taken for Bosnian Muslims, a major training area for Muslim terrorist. If there is a God of Abraham,he must be smiling at his "Chosen People" and sheading tears over the other Great Nation he created.

(19)
LindaWeinberg,
September 28, 2006 4:06 PM

Where were the "critics" when Pearl was beheaded?

I've seen so many news articles and pictures decrying the torture the Americans have conducted. Peace groups have come out of the woodwork! Where were they when American citizens were beheaded???? Or kidnapped??? Is threatening someone psychologically more serious then beheading them? It seems so if you read the papers. Why hasn't there been a government investigation into the media distortion of the recent battles in Lebanon? Why hasn't the mainstream media state that the cartoon that set up the problems in Denmark was NOT one that had been printed in the paper but one that appeared in a dossier prepared by the iman of Denmark. He appeared on American television and when asked if he felt guilty that he created such a mess, he replied NO. Why hasn't the RC church in America - plus other denominations - gather together to decry the results of the Pope's comments? I saw an Arab "demonstration" in vienna in the 1080's. It was scripted! We saw demonstrators running into stationary riot police and then fall in "pain! to have their pictures taken. We thought a movie was being made! So, I cannot believe the pictures I see in the media. The press is free but it should be responsible to print the truth. It is the price for being American.

(18)
Asher,
September 28, 2006 11:00 AM

israel2cu@gmail.com

There are radical, truely evil people of all religions, colors, & races. Lately all I've been reading is "Muslim terrorists" this and "Islamic fundamentalist" that, but what I don't hear people doing is refering to Timmothy McVay as the "Christian Terrorist" or the Unibomber as a "christian terrorist". The new Jews from Nazi Germany are the Muslims. The religion is being villified without regard to the "good" people. We, as Jews, need to be extra careful not to be Muslim haters, but haters of people that are radical fundimentalist murderers of all religions.

(17)
StephenWilson,
September 28, 2006 6:42 AM

I thought this presentation has been very well documented. Thank you.

(16)
DonniePerry,
September 27, 2006 4:29 AM

Some cannot handle the truth

These hooligan from cult islam are doing nothing but proving the correctness of the Pope's statement.DP

(15)
TovaSaul,
September 26, 2006 10:59 PM

Suggestion for how the Muslims should react

Seeing as how the pope made such an unfathomingly, unwittingly insulting remark (albeit true), all the Muslims had to do is respond, "Look who's calling the kettle black. Isn't the history of the Catholic church dripping with the blood of innocent people who wouldn't convert to Catholicism? Then they wouldn't have to act like raging maniacs.

(14)
MartinJ.Pine,
September 26, 2006 3:54 PM

We are our worst enemy

The Pope's apologies simply brought more violence to Catholics. He should have been advised to simply explain the logic of his reference to the last head of the Byzantine Empire, which was destroyed and depopulated by the Muslims. Thus the Muslems were just as misguided in their Jihad as the Roman Catholic Crusaders were misguided in their destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants including the Eastern Orthodox Christians, probably the primary target of the Crusaders. This means that we were all barbaric in the past but now understand that you cannot murder people or ask your own people to kill themselves) to spread a religion. The Pope should have said "It is intolerable in this age for anyone to use violence to promote a religion." There would have been staged Muslem riots after he said it, but his answer should have been that they were proving his point, and the flack would have been less. Someone should point out that the Danish cartoons, such as the one of Mohammed's head as bomb were clever metaphors, whereas the Iranian cartoons of Anne Frank having sex with Hitler accurately portray the Iranian militants as deranged morons.

(13)
simon,
September 26, 2006 3:49 PM

islam

having purchased and the read the quran after 9/11,its no surprise,it should be required reading in order to understand islam,also the laws of omar the 2nd khalifa which influenced the german racial laws by the nazis.

(12)
Roy,
September 26, 2006 5:26 AM

Outrage Onesided Points the Flaws of this Religion

Any religion that teaches outrage when attacked but no empathy for other innocents harmed by those who claim to practice that religion, show the failure of that religion to meet its obligation to mankind, which should be to promote harmony, peace, understanding and empathy. This religion's success is in creating more blind followers, punishing any dialogue, and creating more new martyrs. World scale brain washing is no more a religion than hatred itself.

(11)
PeterGaffney,
September 26, 2006 2:28 AM

Bleak irony

It is indeed ironic in the extreme that Muslims should respond to the Pope's quote with violence and threats of violence. But many Muslims HAVE publicly deplored this response. One wishes such condemnations were louder and more widespread, but it is counterproductive, I think, to suggest that Islam is monolithic in its embrace of violence. For Islam is not about to disappear, and our best hope for peace is that the pendulum will swing away from violence and fundamentalism, toward tolerance and reason.

(10)
OfraBenDavid,
September 26, 2006 2:06 AM

I couldn't agree more

I wish governments and head of countries in the west will fire back and not bow the head to the muslims

(9)
sandi,
September 25, 2006 7:10 PM

thank you for this article

You could have not stated it any better. Free speach does not seem to be permitted under Islam. We as christians or the jewish religion can forgive when insulted. This is what G-d would want from humans. Thank you again.

(8)
charlesmartinez,
September 25, 2006 7:07 PM

muslim hatred

muslims say death to jews death to america death to the westect. ect. ect. but how dare the pope say islam is violent? live by the sword die by the sword. muslims confuse words with the sword.especially when the words are sharper than the sword.

(7)
Anonymous,
September 25, 2006 2:38 PM

brillian

YOU are absolutely brilliant - thank you for telling it like it is. You should be on Glenn Beck's show! Bravo

(6)
YaakovHillel,
September 25, 2006 2:07 PM

You got it wrong

The basic belief of Islam that Allah is everything and man is nothing. The only way to Islam heaven is through detaching from worldly issues and belittling ones self in Allahs shadow. Who ever does not take this course is doomed. Believers are commanded to make infidels and non muslims suffer and help them to their death. This is all muslim law. Those muslim clerics who preach otherwise are barely a drop in the sea. Muslims in the middle east are suckled on hatred, the only solution is taking the reins out of the hands of the clerics and those muslim leaders who want Islam to take over the world. There is no moderate Islam in the world.

(5)
JeanBorden,
September 25, 2006 12:00 PM

Thank you!

Your comments are incisive and I hope they spread far and wide. I pray that people will read them and appreciate them. Amen!

(4)
BarryPenchansky,
September 25, 2006 10:46 AM

Islam?

The violence of the dark side of Islam seems to denigrate any good that is found in the Koran. If I were a Moslem I would be ashamed of the pronouncements of these so called Muftis. One only has to look at Dafur to see how their present culture operates. The high point of their civilization during the middle ages was characterized by tolerance and enlightenment.Where are these forces today?

(3)
PaulDBary,
September 25, 2006 10:36 AM

spead by the sword

Well we see who cries the loudest even if a part of history is qoted about muslims or Islam. They showed just how they spread there religion by the swored by shooting an old nun in the back. An innocent elderly NUN. They burned churches,They burned flags and yes once again american flags even tho it wasnt even our country that said it. There angry because were trying to give them freedom in Afgan and Iraq but they dont want freedom. We need to leave the damn countries let em kill each other.And the next time were attacked by a terroist find the country that harbour them and demolish it. Iran you need to be taken down.

(2)
Anonymous,
September 25, 2006 10:09 AM

Pope Article

Good article

(1)
cyndibuckey,
September 25, 2006 8:44 AM

Amen to that!

Amen to everything you have said. The radicals want to exterminate Israel and kill all the Jews;destroy America and kill all the Christians. They bomb Hindu religious ceremonies and kill Buddhist monks in their temples in Thailand. But we say boo to them, and we're the bad guys. I don't think so.

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
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